Brian Poliner

President at Empower

Brian Poliner is a well-known public policy expert, lecturer, author, and instructor. He spearheaded BRP Aviation and served as the operations manager of WNY Air Freight while operating in the private sector. He has traveled the world as a lecturer, giving talks on leadership, values, management, learning, and other topics at international meetings. Poliner has maintained his own continuous learning while also instructing others, motivated by a genuine desire to serve people around him and contribute to sustainable development.

Brian Poliner graduated from Duquesne University with a Master of Science in Leadership and Business Ethics. He sought to elevate his education so that he could contribute to making the world a better place. He subsequently went on to Hilbert College to get his master’s degree in public administration. Poliner realized that educating was the next move for him, so he started focusing on his PhD. After that, he went to Niagara University to get his PhD in leadership and public and social policy. Poliner handled his academic achievements with the very same passion and dedication that he applied to his commercial endeavors. As a result of his work, he received numerous distinctions and prizes. He was awarded the St. Catherine’s Medal for Student and Scholastic Achievement while at Hilbert College, the finest distinction a graduate student can earn. He has been accepted into the Golden Key International Honor Society, Kappa Gamma Pi National Graduate Honor Society, Phi Delta Kappa National Educators Association, and Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society.

Brian Poliner taught a range of disciplines at Hilbert College as an associate professor, including ethics, leadership, management, and public administration courses. He later rose to chair the Graduate and On-line Masters of Public Administration, Health Administration, and Criminal Justice Programs. As the department chair he oversaw various institutional efforts and sought to develop new course material and graduate degrees. Poliner has given numerous presentations at international conferences and meetings on the issues of governance and education. Challenges and Responsibilities in Sustainable Education: Global Responses to Critical Issues is a book about the modern academic environment’s issues.

Brian Poliner is a Clarence, New York resident who was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He married soon after getting his bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University and had 2 kids, a daughter and a son. Brian spends his free time gardening, particularly growing tomatoes. He also enjoys traveling and has visited over 40 countries in Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Hungary, where Poliner still has family, is one of Poliner’s favorite nations. Most importantly, he adores assisting people in achieving their goals and making the world a safer and more secure place.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

For years, I worked in the private sector. I’m a qualified commercial pilot who for many years owned and operated BRP Aviation, an aviation company. I adored everything I did—flying, teaching, and even the day-to-day business of the company I wanted to improve myself. That is why I decided to return to school for a master’s degree. I returned to Duquesne University for a master’s degree in business ethics, but as soon as it was completed, I chose to pursue a Master of Public Administration. I had done something more to improve myself, and now I desired to contribute to making the world a better place. I subsequently proceeded on to acquire a doctorate in leadership and policy, which I thought was the ideal way to combine growing myself to be a better person while also making the world a better place. Going into educating seemed like a natural next step. I’d had the opportunity to better myself via school, and I knew how to serve others, so I went into teaching and fell in love with it. If you really can instruct others on how to be effective leaders and ethical citizens, they will go out into the world and improve it.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Despite the fact that each day is unique and it has its own color, I prefer to do small things like organizing my work schedule and trying to plan clearer paths for my objectives I want to attain. Apart from that, I start my day with daily prayer, which helps me keep calm all through the day.
My days are somewhat demanding, therefore it is vital that I make good use of my time when carrying out my obligations and commitments. Even though these may seem to be trivial elements, they are crucial in supporting me in realizing my ideas and to be the better version of myself that I would be willing to become.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Anybody who knows me can attest to the fact that I have thousands of ideas every day. However, ideas are worthless if they aren’t put into action. I am fortunate in that I am encircled by colleagues who can assist me in bringing my greatest concepts to fruition.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I’m ecstatic that, rather than rushing, more and more people are beginning to value being attentive and delicate with themselves, as well as caring and accepting others. I’m not here for the rushing myself any longer. In high school, college, the years after college, and graduate school, I was a grind master. And I’ve had my fair share of stress along the road. After a while, I understood I was the one driving to being stressed. And I made the decision to come to a halt.
Ever since, I’ve been slowly but steadily unraveling the knot of worry and stress that I’d built up for so long since I believed I needed to be a human machine. That isn’t how we function. I prefer to be a normal person.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I’m going to focus on this one since it’s so important to me: doing what is genuinely in accordance with the current situation, rather than assuming that my previous To-Do list is all-encompassing. At any given time, I strive to reassess whether I am performing meaningful, required activity. And I try to become as open with myself as possible so that if I’m doing anything that’s rotating my wheels or that I’d be offloading, I can pause and make a better decision.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I want to tell my younger self how much more essential who I am is rather than what I am doing. That my current condition from being is far more significant than my current state of doing or my collection of achievements. I don’t mind that I discovered this on my own timetable. However, I believe it would’ve been fantastic to have learnt it when I was younger, and I intend to convey it to my kids.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

It is useless to say, “It is what it is.” It’s merely a tactic for attempting to conclude a conversation. It indicates that the speaker has given up on the subject or is unwilling to clarify what they truly mean. But when it comes to negotiating or leading real dialogues, it’s merely a roadblock. That phrase is never the conclusion of a discussion topic for me.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Count my lucky stars. It may sound cliché or simplistic, but there’s more to it than being just a list of things for which I’m thankful. I have a favorite anecdote that I like to tell. When an old fish swims by and asks, “Hey, lads, how’s the water?” two young fish swim along. After the old fish has swum away, the two young fish exchange glances and inquire, “What is water?” The concept would be that the elements we’re encompassed by and how we experience the world might become subconscious to us, and afterwards we start taking things for granted, grow petulant, and succumb to our weaker selves. Gratitude demands commitment. Looking back on our lives and being truthful as to what we made through our own drive and tenacity vs what’s been handed to us or accomplished for us requires self-awareness. When we reflect on occasions where we excelled, we frequently consider how we overcome challenges. And when we reflect on moments when we have failed, we will make a list of what went wrong. Being open and honest with myself about my part in my very own successes and mistakes has assisted me in living a meaningful and relevant life.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I enjoy experimenting and am always looking for finding better ways to accomplish things.
When I’m confronted with an issue, I constantly try to think of a solution. Something that is there in front of our eyes, usually an impediment that we are so accustomed to that we do not even bother attempting to overcome it.
My goal is to always ask myself, “How could we use our knowledge and skills to improve things?”

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

It’s a failing I have on a regular basis, and it involves comparing myself to someone. I’m a real person! Even if everything in my life is going greatly, I find myself envious of what others are accomplishing. It’s a terrible habit that I can’t seem to break. So, rather than trying to retrain my brain to stop comparing myself to anyone, I rejoice in their triumphs. I support them even if I don’t gain from their achievements. This exercise has taught me a lot regarding appreciation and modesty.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Consider something which would assist a large number of people both now and in the future. I suppose one may be health, as most people today work remotely and have little time to work out. Another possibility is to promote healthy mindsets by conducting coaching sessions and forming support groups, as this type of activity works well in our modern era.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

A professionally done photography shoot for professional photos was the finest cash I recently spent. Quality images are a great way to add individuality to your online profile, increase your reputation, and stand out on social networks. I am a big advocate self-investment, and one method I invest on myself is through shootings, which allows me to maintain a good appearance and unique reputation.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I adore Google’s services. Google Chrome, Google Docs, Sheets, Gmail, and Google Calendar are my daily tools. It’s a game-changer to have all of my content in one location. I frequently work on many tasks simultaneously and can switch between several browser tabs with ease. Working on Google shared folders allows me to manage my tasks, work collaboratively, and prioritize my duties.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Robert B. Cialdini’s book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” is fantastic! I was curious about some of the cognitive patterns that individuals go through when purchasing things, and the author goes over a few unique hypotheses, study samples, and much more.
I frequently use Freiberg and Freiberg’s book Nuts: The Story about Southwest Airlines to highlight the benefits of servant leadership and ethical business practices. Herb Kelleher was always my business hero. The practice of leadership is an art.

What is your favorite quote?

“You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.” ~Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is one of my favorite writers. She’s the sort of individual that breaks the mold, and I identify with her on a daily basis. I absolutely agree with this remark, and would say that daring is the second stage to triumph. (The first stage is to believe in yourself, your concept, your business, and so on.)

Key Learnings:

  • You’re recharging your batteries while sleeping, and no one can interrupt you with such a fully loaded power source.
  • Prepare a daily journal of your ideas.
  • Make a financial commitment to yourself. It’s one of those investments that pays off every time.
  • Celebrate others’ achievements even if it isn’t profitable for you.